Construction Causes Delays

Roadwork along the Dulles Toll road where it intersects with the entrance to the Capital Beltway will be ongoing for another year. The project is being undertaken by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to accommodate increased traffic flow on those roads.

"The ramp from the Toll Road to 495 will be widened from one lane to two lanes," said VDOT spokesman Ryan Hall. "We are making the ramps wider so it will be easier to get on and off the Toll Road and Beltway," said Hall.

The project is expected to be finished on Sept. 1, 2005, and will cost a total of $5.7 million. Lane Construction Corp. is currently doing the work, after the previous contract defaulted, according to Hall. Construction was initiated at the ramps on July 26 this year.

"Lately there have been some backups in the morning. It's at its worst when they take up a lane for equipment. I'm sure it will make it easier when they finish it, though," said commuter Andrea Fisher.

"Basically this came about by us looking at it and saying traffic volumes have increased and that this is what we can do that"s relatively inexpensive to fix," Hall said.